In a year, the sales of electric cars in China have skyrocketed, going up four fold. This is largely thanks to government subsidies, as scares of pollution and smog have made Beijing stand up and take notice. But while electric cars may soon be the vehicle of choice in China, it’s the fact that the electric power is still generated via coal that rankles.
In India, it’s a problem too, but while the government subsidies are widespread and available freely and conveniently in China, here there is red tape. It’s not to say that the Indian government hasn’t recognized the need to combat climate change through various methods. They have embarked on a mission to provide subsidies on electric vehicles though FAME India, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles program. Electric cars and bikes do well relatively well in certain parts of India. But, an electric car still costs over Rs 5 lakh and can seat four. In a car that small, it’s not always a comfortable option and hence consumers opt for fuel driven cars that provide more space for the same price. If the subsidies were available freely and one did not have to cut through reams of red tape, electric cars might sell quicker.
In a country like India, cost effectiveness is key, for the product as well as for power source and recharging options. If the government starts working on these issues parallel to their plan to dole up subsidies, green transport will become a reality.
